Anna, this is breath-taking. I feel like I can never write poetry like this. But I wanted you to know I took your first two lines and literally stole them and ran off, and wrote my own poem. I've never done that before, so I'm extending it as a semi-compliment - maybe? Thank you for breathing inspiration into me, and helping me find my own expression for my pain, even if of a different variety. Condolences and hugs for your loss.

Reading this poem made me feel like I was looking at a photograph of what you felt.

"I think the broken‐bread‐body
the Death humans hold in common
plucks
missives to other gods
from the breaths that speak them
and transposes them in his likeness(
a grace for the breathless)"

"A grace for the breathless," what an incredible way to capture the mercy of God. Really well done, a thing that can only come out of heavy experience. Anna, you have reminded me of the hope we have in resurrection. Thank you so much for sharing.

I'd like to thank everyone for expressing so much kindness toward my family and I. Tomorrow will make it a month since my aunt's death, and, you know... It's hard. I've not even got the worst of it, but I'm learning to validate my own grief through things like this poem, so... I will freely admit that it's hard.

I'm also very glad you like the poem itself, and specially thank anyone who took the time to tell me the lines they liked.

Sarah Bethany: No, I don't mind! Thanks for the credit. :) I'm going to get around to commenting on your poem hopefully after class today.